Despite gains, Kansas job market still uncertain

The unemployment rate in Kansas continues to rise, reports the Kansas Department of Labor.

According to the October 2009 Labor Report, released Nov. 20, the rate of unemployment for the state is 6.4 percent, which is an almost 2 percent increase from October of 2008.

This unemployment increase is despite the 11,700 created jobs in October, which KDL officials attribute to seasonal factors. The rate is also slightly below the 6.8 percent unemployment rate seen in September of 2009.

The industries suffering the greatest amount because of the job losses are:

• Manufacturing, with 25,500 workers losing jobs during the year. The majority of losses in this industry were in durable goods manufacturing, specifically in aerospace production.

• Professional and business services, with 13,700 workers losing jobs during the year. The majority of losses in this area were in administrative support services and professional, scientific and technical services.

• Trade, transportation and utilities, with 8,500 workers losing jobs during the year. The retail trade sector of this industry experienced the majority of these losses.

In Wyandotte County, the unemployment rate is 10.1 percent.

Included in the report was a slight gain has been seen in jobs related to education and health services, but KDL officials say the road ahead is still an uncertain one.

“While we’re seeing improvements in some economic indicators, we know recovery in the job markets remains uncertain for the near future,” said KDL labor economist Inayat Noormohmad in a press release.